ROUND TWENTY!
A mere five rounds remain for home and away season 2025. Again, the fixture makes no sense and teams are playing at the wrong times, but, we look forward with anticipation to September. It is within touching distance and still the top four and top eight can change. Results each week have a say and this week, there are rivalries – the Showdown, the Pineapple Grapple, the Battle of the Bridge, and the Derby, among others; all playing a part, in some way, of shaping finals. So, strap in!
Be forewarned: while I am the Mongrel Punt’s resident oracle for all things AFL, I hold no liability for your poor betting decisions and the use of my predictions in your multis. So, please, gamble responsibly.
So, strap yourselves in for the Prophet’s Predictions for Round 20.
The Guarantee
The Dogs eviscerate a hapless Essendon. It was a 91 point result earlier in the season, pre-Bombers injury woes. So, with finals on the line for the Dogs, expect them to come out snarling, and do a number on the Bombers. This has 120+ point margin written all over it if the Dogs are serious.
The Ultimate Nightmare (Worst Case Scenario)
Dimma’s Suns lose again in the Pineapple Grapple, and therefore possibly relegating themselves to September holiday’s as opposed to September football. The Lions are in good nick and really finding their groove of late. They are free scoring and dominant around the ball. If the Suns are going to play finals, then they win this at home. The Lions have won 12 of 13 Pineapple Grapple’s … time for the Suns to get the four points.
The Outsider (unexpected winner)
In Ken’s last Showdown as the Pear Coach, and Connor Rozee showing the heart of a lion to possibly play with a broken hand (you could also say it’s a bit dumb, too), there could be a twist to Adelaide’s march towards September. While I consider the Crom the overwhelming favourites in this one, I just get this sense … “It’s Mabo, it’s the vibe” and Port pass the Prophet’s vibe checks heading into this one. Why? Because I feel like Ken Hinkley is the best coach in the league at getting his players to play on emotion and maximising that.
The Money Maker (Bold Call)
Sam Docherty gets Brownlow votes in his last ever game, leading to a rousing Blues win … only to be their last one for the year. If there was EVER a time for the Blues to do something, it is this Thursday Night, in Doc’s last game, to channel some level of skill and willingness. Can they back up from the win last week or will the Hawks all-round game be too much for the Blues to handle? You’d be silly to tip the Blues … or would you?
Essential Result (Must Win)
The Battle of the Bridge on Friday Night shapes as season-defining for both teams. Now, I know that “season-defining” is a term thrown around a lot for relatively normal games, but this one legitimately has big stakes on it. The Giants win, and find themselves relatively secure in the hunt for finals. If they lose, they are at risk. The Swans need the win to keep their season alive. A loss almost ends their 2025, even with some recent good weeks. This shapes as a classic, with a lot at stake. Expect a high-pressure contest, both teams throwing everything they’ve got at their opponents, ready to go to war.
Hook this to my veins, it is a strong contender for match of the round, maybe even match of the year, if it lives up to the billing.
Side note: the Swans have won the last five against their little brother. Can the Giants step out of the Swans’ shadow and bring the big, big sound?
Most at Stake (Vulnerable)
Those in charge of fixturing. Why are we seeing Essendon and Carlton so much in standalone, prime time fixtures when they dish up rubbish? Why do we have two games overlapping on a Friday Night? And why, with only two games on Sunday, do they overlap?
Whoever is allowing this to happen, needs to be fired. The fixture is a mess, the Showdown being tucked away on a Saturday Night so Carlton and Essendon can play Thursday and Friday Nights is abhorrent.
When will the league actually get it together and use some common sense? I am not holding my breath. While we are at it, this weekend could be the end of physical contact in our game. After Steven May was unduly suspended for three games because of some lawyer using biochemistry lab speak about ‘controlled environment testing’ to get a conviction, all credibility in many of the AFL departments is fast fading. Sort your shit out, AFL.
The Must Watch (match-up or game)
The last of the cross-state rivals, the Western Derby. I don’t think it will be close, but I will watch with a morbid curiosity to see if it becomes anything more than a disaster for the Eagles. Actually, them being belted isn’t a disaster. Derbies can create chaos and upsets … as such, an Eagles shock would be a DISASTER for Freo. May as well pack up the season if it happens.
The Unexpected (underdog performance)
Collingwood will win, but I like the prospects of the Tigers being a menace. The Pies look shaky, having dropped two in a row. A loss here would see them drop from first, potentially, for the first time in a long time. I see a world where the Tigers, having gained confidence in recent weeks, give the Pies a scare, before the Pies run over the top of them.
It’s a Big Weekend For …
The Mongrel’s Supercoach Draft League is ramping up with finals starting, and the Prophet has just snuck in. Everyone else is frenetically trading players to strengthen their side. The Prophet has consulted himself, as the Mongrel’s Oracle (not to be confused with WWE’s Oracle Paul Heyman), and has not stepped into the trades and is backing in his squad. I need a lift from Bailey Smith and Steele Sidebottom this weekend, in particular. The loss of Dan Rioli hurts as well.
Aside from this, it’s a big weekend for both Melbourne and St Kilda. Finals is not on their cards, but getting games into young players and investing in the future by getting some wins is doable. Both face each other this weekend, and it’ll be very interesting to see how they handle themselves and what sort of effort they put up. The Dees have the talent on paper to win this comfortably, but I like the Saints in this one.
The Don (player of the round)
I will probably shoot myself in the foot with this one (sorry Cats fans) but I am all aboard the Jezza kicking 100 train this year. With the Cats run home, there is a chance. But he needs to go big against North on Saturday Night. I am declaring Jez to kick 12 under the roof. To take him to within 30 of the ton, with four H&A games to go before finals.
The Underboss (rookie of the round)
Dan Curtin is starting to deliver on his reputation. He’s had an excellent last four or so weeks, and I daresay he will get a moment or two on Saturday Night to make the Showdown his own.
Individual Brilliance (predicting a stat accomplishment like x goals or marks)
Tom Green vs Isaac Heeney is mouthwatering. I’m backing both for 30+ disposals, 10+ clearances, and 2+ goals.
The Winners (currently on 106; last week 8)
Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
Greater Western Sydney
Brisbane Lions
Fremantle
Geelong
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
St Kilda
These predictions were made with only Thursday Night teams revealed. Drop us your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned over the coming weeks to see how the Prophet goes with his predictions.
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